Pipe coupling device

ABSTRACT

A device for coupling or decoupling pipe sections including two hollow cylindrical members each having a tapered inner surface portion and adapted to receive a pipe section. Several metallic balls are disposed between the tapered inner surface portion and a portion of the outer surface of the pipe section for acting as wedge means to prevent separation of the cylindrical member and the pipe section. Sealing means are located between the cylindrical member and its associated pipe section for providing an air-tight seal between the two. Fastening means are disposed between the hollow cylindrical members for moving the hollow members toward each other and for urging the sealing means against the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical members and the outer surface of the pipe sections to be joined.

United States Patent 1151 3,653,688 Sakakibara [4 1 Apr. 4, 1972 [54]PIPE COUPLING DEVICE 834,618 /1906 Herrick ..285/343 [72] Inventor: AkinSakakibm 861 Horiuchi, 2,561,887 7/1951 Risley ..285/348 glayamamachi.Miura-gun, Kanagawa-ken, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS apan 1,272,6527/1968 Germany ..285/343 22 Filed: Apr. 22, 1970 Foreign ApplicationPriority Data Feb. 28, 1970 Japan ..45/20181 [52] U.S. Cl ..285/l05 [51]lnt.Cl ..Fl6l 17/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..285/105, 343, 348, 175

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 792,377 6/1905 Young..285/343 3,466,069 9/1969 Hoke et al. 285/348 2,226,304 12/1940 Dillon..285/ 731,635 6/1903 Vandegrift et a1. ..285/ 644,167 2/1900 Frink eta1. ....285/343 18,116 9/1857 Wright ..285/343 Primary ExaminerAndrew V.Kundrat Attorneylrving M. Weiner [5 7] ABSTRACT A device for coupling ordecoupling pipe sections including two hollow cylindrical members eachhaving a tapered inner surface portion and adapted to receive a pipesection. Several metallic balls are disposed between the tapered innersurface portion and a portion of the outer surface of the pipe sectionfor acting as wedge means to prevent separation of the cylindricalmember and the pipe section. Sealing means are located between thecylindrical member and its associated pipe section for providing anair-tight seal between the two. Fastening means are disposed between thehollow cylindrical members for moving the hollow members toward eachother and for urging the sealing means against the inner surface of thehollow cylindrical members and the outer surface of the pipe sections tobe joined.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 4|972 3,653,688

sum 1 n5 2 W z i 0712 INVENTOR AKIRA SAKAKIBARA ATTORNEY PIPE COUPLINGDEVICE ties of spherical bodies.

Heretofore, there have been proposed various types of pipe couplingdevices, and many of the conventional coupling devices are adapted to beemployed for joining pipe sections which have been previously subjectedin mechanical processing, such as welding, threading, and the like. Theconventional pipe coupling devices are not capable of accommodating theexpansion, shrinkage, and strain of the pipe sections to be joined.Consequently, the conventional pipe coupling devices have to be employedin conjunction with separate devices which are capable of accommodatingthe expansion, shrinkage and strain of the pipe sections, In addition,the conventional pipe coupling devices have to be constructed andinstalled with very close tolerances which results in very expensivecoupling devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a device forselectively coupling and/or decoupling a plurality of pipe sections, andincludes a plurality of hollow members each having a tapered innersurface portion and adapted to receive at least one of the pipesections. A plurality of spherical bodies are disposed between thetapered inner surface portion of a hollow member and a portion of theouter surface of an associated pipe section for acting as wedge means toprevent separation of the hollow member from its associated pipesection. Sealing means are disposed between a hollow member and itsassociated pipe section for selectively providing an air-tight sealtherebetween when said sealing means is compressed. The device also in-'cludes a fastening means disposed between the hollow members for movingthe hollow members toward each other and for urging the sealing meansagainst the inner surface of the hollow members and the outer surface ofthe pipe sections.

The invention also provides a pipe coupling device which ischaracterized by a pair of hollow cylindrical members each having atapered surface portion in its inner surface for receiving pipe sectionendwiseth'erein. The device also includes wedge-acting balls disposed inspaces between the inner surface of the cylindrical members and theouter surface of the pipe sections. Air-tight resilient sealing means,such as rubber packings and the like, are disposed between the innersurface of the cylindrical members and the other surface of the pipesections, whereby when the pipe sections move axially and/ortransversely the balls may maintain their abutment relation with respectto the cylindrical members and the pipe sections to prevent the pipesections from coming off the cylindrical members. At the same timeair-tight seals are provided between the cylindrical members and thepipe sections by the sealing means which are adapted to becompressed'between the cylindrical members and the pipe sections.

The present invention utilizes the specific properties of sphericalbodies wherein the spherical bodies act as wedge means when thespherical bodies move relative to the tapered inner surface portions ofthe hollow cylindrical members. This allows the pipe sections to moveaxially while preventing the pipe sections from separating from thecylindrical members and maintaining air-tight seals between the innersurface of the cylindrical members and the outer surface of the pipesections.

The present invention also provides a device for selectively couplingand/or decoupling a plurality of pipe sections, wherein the device iscapable of accommodating the expansion, shrinkage and strain ofindividual pipe sections which are to be joined together by the devicewithout the necessity of using any conventional expansion joints.

The invention also provides a device which makes it easy to move pipesections into and out of the hollow members without the necessity of anyskilled mechanic, plumber or other operator.

In addition, the present invention provides a pipe coupling device ofthe above type which can efiectively perform its function to join pipesections while at the same time eliminating the disadvantages inherentin the conventional pipe coupling devices.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided apipe coupling device which includes cylindrical members disposed inaxial alignment in a spaced relation and each having a tapered innersurface portion and for receiving a pipe section therein. Sphericalbodies are received between the tapered inner surface portions of thecylindrical members and the pipe sections in abutment against thetapered inner surface portions and the pipe sections for acting as wedgemeans to prevent the separation of the cylindrical members from the pipesections. Resilient air-tight sealing means are disposed between thecylindrical members and the pipe sections under compression forproviding air-tight seals between the cylindrical members and the pipesections. The device also includes fastening means disposed between thecylindrical members for pulling the cylindrical members toward eachother so as to urge the sealing means against the inner surface of thecylindrical members and the outer surface of the pipe sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, inpartial section, of a first or preferred embodiment of a pipe couplingdevice according to the present invention illustrating the devicetogether with the pipe sections joined together thereby.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded fragmentary view in partial section ofsealing means employed in the coupling device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second or modified embodiment of the couplingdevice according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 .shows a fragmentary view of one of the packing members shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates an end elevational view of the packing member shownin FIG. 4 as seen in the direction of the arrow indicated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevational view, partly in section, of athird or further embodiment of the coupling device according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-B of FIG. 6 andas seen in the arrow direction therein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevational view, in partial section, of afourth or further embodiment of the coupling device according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIGS. 1 and2-of the drawings, there is shown a first or preferred embodiment of thepipe coupling and/or decoupling device constructed in accordance withthe present invention disposed around the adjacent ends of pipe sectionsP-P to be joined together thereby. The pipe coupling device includes apair of hollow cylindrical members 1 and 1' which may be arranged in anaxially aligned and spaced end to end relation.

The cylindrical hollow member 1 has its inner peripheral surfaceprovided with a tapered inner surface portion 2 which slopes radiallyand inwardly, and extends approximately from a midpoint of theaforementioned inner surface to the outer end of the cylindrical hollowmember 1. The outer peripheral surface of the the hollow member 1 isprovided with a threaded portion 3 near the inner end of the cylindricalhollow member 1..

The internal peripheral surface of the cylindrical hollow member 1 isfurther provided with an annular recess 4 having a substantially uniformdiameter, and extending from the rear end of the tapered surface portion2 to the inner end of the cylindrical hollow member 1, thereby defininga shoulder in the junction between the tapered surface portion 2 andrecess 4. A retainer ring 5, formed of a suitable resilient material andhaving a plurality of circumferentially spaced spherical bodies, such asballs 6, partially embedded therein, is received within the taperedsurface portion 2 of the cylindrical hollow member 1. The balls 6 mayhave a diameter which is larger than the wall thickness of the retainerring 5, so that portions of the balls 6 may protrude out of both theouter and the inner surfaces of the retainer ring 5.

An integral stop and packing assembly, including an annular resilientstop ring 7 and an annular resilient packing member 8, is receivedwithin the annular recess in the internal peripheral surface of thecylindrical hollow member 1 in abutment against the aforementionedshoulder.

The construction of the mating cylindrical hollow member 1 issubstantially similar to that of the cylindrical hollow member 1. Thehollow member I has a tapered inner surface portion 2 which slopesradially and inwardly, and extends from a midpoint of the internalsurface to the outer end of the associated cylindrical hollow member 1.The outer peripheral surface of the hollow member 1 at the inner endthereof is provided with a threaded portion 3'. The hand or direction ofthe threads of the threaded portion 3 is opposite to that of the hand ordirection of the threads in the corresponding threaded portion 3.

An annular recess 4' is also provided in the internal peripheral surfaceof the hollow member 1, and the recess 4' has a substantially uniformdiameter and extends from the rear end of the tapered surface portion 2'to the inner end of the associated hollow member 1 to define a shoulderin the junction between the tapered surface portion 2 and the recess 4'.A retainer ring 5 formed of the same resilient material as that of theretainer ring 5 and having similar circumferentially spaced balls 6'partially imbedded therein is received within the tapered surface 2 ofthe associated hollow member 1'. As in the case of the retainer ring 5for the hollow member 1, the balls 6' in the retainer ring 5' also havea diameter which is larger than the wall thickness of the associatedretainer ring 5. An integral stop and packing assembly, which alsoincludes an annular resilient stop ring 7 and an annular resilientpacking member 8, is received within the recess 4 in the internalperipheral surface of the associated hollow member 1 in abutment againstthe aforementioned shoulder.

An annular pusher member 9 is disposed between the pair of hollowmembers 1 and l with the opposite ends of the pusher member 9 intrudinginto the material of the opposite resilient packing members 8 and 8.Tightening or fastening means, such as an annular fastening member 10having a threaded internal peripheral surface 11, is threaded on thethreaded portions 3 and 3 by means of its threaded internal surface 11.The threaded internal peripheral surface of the tightening or fasteningmember 10 is divided into two halfportions having the opposite hand ordirection threads for threaded engagement with the opposite hand ordirectional threads 3 and 3' in the hollow members 1 and 1.

Prior to receiving the pipe sections P and P to be joined by thecoupling device, the tightening or fastening member 10 is partiallythreaded onto the hollow members 1 and 1 sufficiently to hold thecomponent elements within the hollow members 1 and l in position. InFIG. 1, the fastening member 10 is shown in its fully tightened positionin which the threaded internal surface 11 of the fastening member 10 isin full engagement with the threaded outer surface portions 3 and 3 soas to maintain the pipe sections P and P in a fully tightened orair-tight relation. However, when the pipe sections P and P are receivedto be joined together, the threaded internal peripheral surface 11 ismaintained in its partial engagement with the threaded outer surfaceportions 3 and 3' of the hollow members 1 and 1' so that the pipesections P and P may be easily and readily received in the couplingdevice.

In operation, it is assumed that the pipe sections P and P have beenendwise received in the pipe coupling device with the fastening member10 maintained in its partially threaded engagement with the threadedsurface portions 3 and 3 of the hollow members 1 and 1'. When thefastening member 10 is then turned in the tightening direction, thehollow members 1 and 1' are pulled or urged toward each other becausethe threaded outer surface portions 3 and 3' on the cylindrical hollowmembers 1 and 1 and the two half-portions of the inner surface 11 of thefastening member 10 which mate with the threaded portions 3 and 3,respectively, have opposite hands or directions. As the hollow members 1and l are pulled toward each other in the manner which is abovedescribed, the inner tapered surface portions 2 and 2' of thecylindrical members 1 and l in the turn urge the balls 6 and 6, whichare partially embedded in the resilient retainer rings 5 and 5',outwardly along the tapered surface portions in firm abutment againstthe outer periphery of the pipe sections P and P, respectively.Simultaneously, the annular pusher member 9 urges the material of theresilient stop rings 7 and 7 and the packing members 8 and 8' in unisonoutwardly, and at the same time forces the material in the packingmembers 8 and 8' to bulge radially and inwardly against the outerperiphery of the pipe sections P and P, respectively, thereby to providean air-tight seal between the hollow members and the pipe sections.

As the fastening member 10 is turned in the tightening direction, theresilient packing members 8 and 8 and the resilient stop rings 7 and 7are pushed outwardly in the axial direction of the pipe coupling deviceas mentioned above. However, since the internal peripheral surface ofthe hollow members 1 and 1 are provided with the shoulders defined bythe tapered surface portions 2 and 2 and the recesses 4 and 4,respectively, the outwardly axial movement of the packing members 8 and8 and stop rings 7 and 7 is limited by the abutment of the stop rings 7and 7 against the respectively associated shoulders. Accordingly, thematerial of the packing members 8 and 8' is prevented from bulgingoutwardly in the axial direction while the packing material is allowedto bulge radially inwardly even after the stop rings 7 and 7' haveabutted against and have been stopped by the respectively associatedshoulders. This provides air-tight seals between the inner periphery ofthe hollow members 1 and 1 and the outer periphery of the pipe sectionsP and P, respectively.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show a second or modified embodiment of the pipecoupling device according to the present invention. The modified pipecoupling device generally comprises a pair of hollow members 101 and 101which are disposed in an axially aligned and spaced relation. The member101 may be cylindrical in shape and have its inner peripheral surfaceprovided with a tapered surface portion 102 which slopes radially andinwardly, and extends from a midpoint of the inner surface of the outerend of the hollow member 101. A uniform diameter threaded portion 103 isprovided at the inner end of the cylindrical hollow member 101.

Similarly, the other hollow member 101 may also have a cylindrical shapeand have an internal peripheral surface provided with a tapered surfaceportions 102 which slopes radially and inwardly, and extends from amidpoint of the internal surface to the inner end of the hollow member101. A uniform diameter threaded portion 103' extends from the midpointof the internal surface to the inner end of the hollow member 101.

The hand or direction of the threads in the threaded portion 103 isopposite to that of the threads in the threaded portion 103. An annularresilient retainer ring 105, formed of a suitable resilient materialsuch as rubber, and having at least 5 balls 106 partially embeddedtherein, is disposed within the hollow member 101 in abutment with thetapered surface portion 102. The resilient retainer ring 105 has itsouter surface which tapers substantially in conformity with the taperedconfiguration of the internal tapered surface portion 102, and has itsinternal surface of a substantially uniform diameter. The balls 106 havea diameter which is larger than the wall thickness of the retainer ring,and partially protrudes out of both the outer and internal surfaces ofthe retainer ring 105.

A similar resilient retainer ring 105+ having a plurality ofcircumferentially circumferentially spaced balls 106 partially embeddedtherein is disposed within the associated hollow member 101 in abutmentagainst the internal surface portion 102 of the member 101. The retainerring 105 also has its tapered outer surface substantially in conformitywith the tapered configuration of the internal surface portion 102 ofthe hollow member 101, and has its internal surface having asubstantially uniform diameter.

A fastening member 110 having a threaded outer surface is threaded ontothe hollow members 101 and 101. This threaded outer surface has one endprovided with threads in one direction, and the other end provided withthreads in the opposite direction, which ends are separated from eachother by a smooth larger diameter center portion by which the fasteningmember 110 is manually turned in one or the other direction.

Prior to receiving the pipe sections P and P in the device, thefastening member 110 is partially threaded onto the hollow members 101and 101 so that the pipe sections may be easily received in the couplingdevice while maintaining the sealing means in position within themembers 101 and 101. F IG. 3 shows the fastening member 110 in its fullytightened condition and, accordingly, the threaded ends 111 and 111 arein full engagement with the associated threaded portions 103 and 103,respectively.

In operation, it is assumed that the fastening member 110 is partiallythreaded onto the members 101 and 101, and the pipe sections P and P arereceived in the coupling device in an axially aligned and spacedend-to-end relation. When the fastening member 110 is turned in thetightening direction, the hollow members 101 and 101 are pulled or urgedtoward each other because the hand or direction of the mating threadedportion 103 and the threaded end 111 is opposite to that of the othermating portion 103 and threaded end 111, respectively. As thecylindrical members 101 and 101 are pulled toward each other in themanner mentioned just above, the tapered inner surface portions 102 and102 of the cylindrical members 101 and 101' urge the balls 106 and 106partially embedded in the respectively associated retainer rings 105 and105 outwardly along the tapered surface portions 102 and 102 in abutmentagainst the outer surface of the pipe sections P and P. Simultaneously,the material of the retainer rings 105 and 105 is compressed by thecylindrical members 101 and 101 and the fastening member 110 and forcedto bulge radially and inwardly against the outer surface of the pipes Pand P thereby to provide air-tight seals between the inner periphery ofthe cylindrical members 101 and 101 and the outer surface of the pipesections P, P.

FIGS. 6 and 7 shows a further modified form of pipe coupling device ofthe present invention. The pipe coupling device of FIGS. 6 and 7generally comprises a pair of axially aligned cylindrical members 201and 201 disposed in spaced end-to-end relation. The cylindrical member201 has the inner surface including a tapered surface portion 102sloping radially and inwardly and extending from a mid-point of theinner surface to the outer end of the cylindrical member and asubstantially uniform diameter smooth surface portion 203 extending fromthe above-mentioned mid-point to the inner end of the cylindricalmember. The cylindrical member 201 is further provided with a flange 225at the inner end extending radially and outwardly and provided with fourthreaded through bores 226. A resilient annular retainer ring 205 havinga plurality of circumferentially spaced balls 206 partially embeddedtherein is received in the cylindrical member 201. As in the case offoregoing embodiments, the balls 206 protrude partially out of both theouter end inner surfaces of the retainer ring 205. The retainer ring 205has the radially and inwardly tapered outer surface in conformity withthe tapered configuration of the tapered surface portion 201 and theinner surface having a substantially uniform diameter. The othercylindrical member 201 also has the inner surface including a taperedsurface portion 202 sloping radially and inwardly and extending from amid-point of the inner surface to the outer end of the cylindricalmember and a substantially uniform diameter smooth surface portion 203extending from the above-mentioned mid-point to the outer end of thecylindrical member. The cylindrical member 201 is also provided with aflange 225 at the inner end extending radially and outwardly and havingfour threaded through bores 226. A similar resilient retainer ring 205is also disposed within the cylindrical member 201 and has a pluralityof circumferentially spaced balls 206 partially embedded therein. As inthe case of the retainer ring 205, the balls 206 partially protrude outof both the outer end inner surfaces of the retainer ring 205. Theretainer ring 205 has the radially and inwardly tapered outer surface inconformity with the tapered configuration of the tapered surface portion201' and the inner surface having a substantially uniform diameter. Afastening member such as a screw bolt 220 is passed through each pair offour pairs of aligned bores 226 and 226 in the opposite flanges 225 and225 from the bore 225 until the head of the screw bolts abuts againstthe outer surface of the flange 225. The shank of the screw bolt 222 isthreaded at the free end to threadably receive a nut 223. An annularpusher member 224 is disposed within the coupling device bridging thepair of cylindrical members 201 and 201' with the opposite ends abuttingagainst the retainer rings 205 and 205.

In operation, it is assumed that the nuts 223 are partially threaded onthe screw bolts 222 so that pipe sections P and P may be easily receivedin the coupling device while maintaining the sealing means in positionwithin the cylindrical members. The pipe sections P and P are endwisereceived into the coupling device in an axially aligned and spacedend-to-end relation and the nuts 223 are then tightened. As the nuts 223are tightened, the cylindrical members are pulled toward each other andthe inner tapered surface portions 202 and 202 of the cylindricalmembers 201 and 201 in turn urge the retainer rings 205 and 205outwardly along the tapered surface portions in abutment against theouter surface of the pipe sections P and P and at the same time causethe material of the retainer rings 205 and 205 to bulge axially andinwardly so as to embrace the opposite ends of the pusher ring 224thereby to provide air-tight seals between the interior of thecylindrical members 201 and 201 and the outer surface of the pipesections P and P.

FIG. 8 shows a still further modified form of pipe coupling device ofthe present invention which is quite similar to the embodiment of FIGS.6 and 7 in the construction, arrangement and function of theconstituting components except for the construction of the cylindricalmembers and accordingly, the same or similar parts of the embodiment ofFIG. 8 bear the same reference numerals as those of the correspondingparts of the embodiment of F 16$. 6 and 7. The pipe coupling device of FIG. 8 generally comprises a pair of axially aligned cylindrical members301 and 301 disposed in a spaced end-to-end relation. The cylindricalmember 301 comprises a plurality of sector portions each having radiallyand outwardly extending bored flanges 301a at the opposite side edges.ln assembling the plural sector portions, a screw bolt 326 is passedthrough each pair of aligned bores in the adjacent side edge flanges ofadjacent sector portions and tightened by nuts (not shown). The othercylindrical member 301' also comprises a plurality of sector portionseach having radially and outwardly extending flanges 301a at theopposite sides edges and assembled together by screw bolts 326 and nuts(not shown) in the same manner as cylindrical member 301.

In joining pipe sections by the use of any of the above-mentioned pipecoupling devices of the present invention, pipe sections to be joinedare endwise inserted into the hollow cylindrical members at the outerends of the cylindrical members to a desired position therein andthereafter, the cylindrical members are tightened by the'fasteningmembers so as to pull the cylindrical members toward each other untilthe pipe sections will be firmly gripped by the cylindrical members. Asthe cylindrical members are pulled toward each other in the mannermentioned above, the resilient sealing means are urged against the innersurface of the cylindrical members and the outer surface of the pipesections with increasing pressure to provide air-tight seals between theinner surface of the cylindrical members and the outer surface of thepipe sections and at the same time the balls are urged outwardly in theaxial direction in abutment against the tapered inner surface portionsof the cylindrical members and the outer surface of the pipe sectionswith increasing pressure to act as wedge means. Thus, it will beunderstood that the greater the movement of the pipe sections is thegreater the wedging action by the balls is. As the wedge-acting ballsare urged outwardly in the axial direction by the tapered inner surfaceportions of the cylindrical members, the force applied upon the ballsfirst acts in the direction at right angles with respect to the plane ofthe tapered inner surface portions and then on the pipe sections atright angles with respect to the plane of the outer surface of the pipesections thereby to provide a force preventing the pipe sections fromseparating from the cylindrical hollow members. A substantial portion ofthe resisting force is applied on the pipe sections resulting indecrease in the force acting on the junction between the cylindricalhollow members and pipe sections. This is very advantageous in selectingmaterial in the manufacture of the coupling device and the forcerelation on the wall thickness of the cylindrical members. Furthermore,the force acting on the pipe sections can be always evenly distributedalong the length of the pipe sections in all directions because of thepresence of the balls between the cylindrical members and the pipesections resulting in substantial decrease of the possibility of damageon the pipe sections.

And air-tight sealing between the cylindrical members and pipe sectionscan be perfectly effected by means of the resilient retainers, stoprings and/or packing members as mentioned above.

In the pipe coupling device of the present invention, when the device isnot in its fully tightened condition, the inner diameters of thecylindrical members, retainer rings, annular packing members, annularpusher member and annular stop members are, respectively, larger thanthe dimension comprising the outer diameter of the pipe sections plusthe tolerances allowed from the component parts of the coupling device,respectively, and therefore, pipe sections can be easily received intothe device and jointed therein without any difficulty. Even when pipesto be jointed have the outer diameter smaller than the dimensioncomprising their nominal outer diameter minus tolerance, since thecylindrical members have the tapered inner surface portions and theannular pusher member affords a suitable and sufficient degree oftightening, air-tight seals can be easily and effectively providedbetween the cylindrical members and the pipe sections and between thepipe sections themselves. In this way, a substantial range of deviationsfrom tolerance can be perfectly absorbed.

As mentioned above, according to the present invention, since the ballswhich act as wedge means are present in the spaces between the taperedinner surface portions of the cylindrical members and pipe sections tobe jointed thereby, even when the thus jointed pipe sections sinkdisproportionally or are displaced due to inner pressure, the balls arecaused to abut firmly against the tapered inner surface portions of thecylindrical members and the outer surface of the pipe sections becauseof the non-rotation property of the balls and the specific relativerelation between the tapered inner surface portions of the cylindricalmembers and the movement of pipe sections. Thus, the larger the movementof pipe sections is, the more effective the wedging action of the ballsis. By the provision of the balls and resilient sealing means, pipesections jointed by the coupling device can be effectively preventedfrom coming off the device and fluid flowing through the pipe sectionscan be effectively prevented from leaking out by airtight seals providedby the sealing means.

The novel pipe coupling devices can join pipe sections which have notbeen previously subjected to mechanical processing such as weldingand/or threading which are necessary in jointing the pipe sections bythe conventional pipe coupling devices and can accommodate pipe sectionshaving different diameters in a simpler manner.

When a number of the novel pipe coupling device are employed in a pipingsystem involving a number of jointed pipe sections with each couplingdevice positioned in the juncture between adjacent pipe sections, eachcoupling device accommodates expansion and/or shrinkage in eachindividual pipe section thereby to eliminate the possibility ofconcentration of the tension on the entire pipe system at any particularpoint along the pipe system and the necessity for the use of anyconventional expansion joint. And even when one or more pipe sections inthe piping system sink disproportionally, the coupling device canaccommodate any tension and/or strain caused by such disproportionalsinking of pipe section or sections and the specific action of the ballseliminates any possible damage which may be otherwise inflicted to thepipe sections. In addition, it has been found that the novel pipecoupling devices can stand against any substantial amount of innerpressure load, external pressure load and tension. When the novel pipecoupling device is designed to be employed for jointing pipe sectionshaving the diameter of 25 mm, the device can stand against the pressureup to 330 kglcm Thus, the present invention will make a great deal ofcontribution to the art.

I claim:

1. A device for selectively coupling and/or decoupling a plurality ofpipe sections, comprising, in combination:

a plurality of hollow members each having a tapered inner surfaceportion and adapted to receive at least one of said pipe sections;

a plurality of spherical bodies disposed between said tapered innersurface portion of a hollow member and a portion of the outer surface ofan associated pipe section for acting as wedge means to preventseparation of said hollow member from said associated pipe sections;

sealing means disposed between a hollow member and its associated pipesection for selectively providing an airtight seal therebetween whensaid sealing means is compressed;

fastening means disposed-between said hollow members for moving saidhollow members toward each other and for urging said sealing meansagainst the inner surface of said hollow members and the outer surfaceof said pipe sections;

said hollow members comprise cylindrical members which are disposed inaxial alignment in a spaced relation;

said spherical bodies are disposed in abutment against said taperedinner surface portions and said pipe sections for acting as wedge meansto prevent said pipe sections from coming off of said cylindricalmembers;

said sealing means includes resilient elements disposed between saidcylindrical members and said pipe sections for providing air-tight sealsbetween said cylindrical members and said pipe sections;

said fastening means is disposed between said cylindrical members forpulling said cylindrical members toward each other so as to urge saidsealing means against the inner surface of said cylindrical members andthe outer surface of said pipe sections; and

wherein said air-tight sealing means comprises resilient retainer ringseach having a plurality of said spherical bodies partially embeddedtherein, resilient stop rings in abutment against said retainer rings,and resilient packing members in abutment against said stop rings on theside opposite to said retainer rings.

2. A device characterized in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidcylindrical members have annular recesses in their inner surfaceadjacent to said tapered inner surface portions for partially receivingsaid resilient stop rings and packing members therein; oppositelydirected threaded portions are provided in the outer periphery of saidcylindrical members; and said fastening means comprises a pusher memberhaving its opposite ends abutting against said resilient packingmembers, and an annular fastening member having its inner surfaceprovided with oppositely directed threaded portions for engagement withsaid oppositely directed threaded portions in the outer periphery ofsaid cylindrical members.

3. A device for selectively coupling and/or decoupling a plurality ofpipe sections, comprising, in combination:

a plurality of hollow members each having a tapered inner surfaceportion and adapted to receive at least one of said pipe sections;

a plurality of spherical bodies disposed between said tapered innersurface portion of a hollow member and a portion of the outer surface ofan associated pipe section for acting as wedge means to preventseparation of said hollow member from said associated pipe sections;

sealing means disposed between a hollow member and its associated pipesection for selectively providing an airtight seal therebetween whensaid sealing means is compressed;

fastening means disposed between said hollow members for moving saidhollow members toward each other and for urging said sealing meansagainst the inner surface of said hollow members and the outer surfaceof said pipe sections;

said hollow members comprise cylindrical members which are disposed inaxial alignment in a spaced relation;

said spherical bodies are disposed in abutment against said taperedinner surface portions and said pipe sections for acting as wedge meansto prevent said pipe sections from coming off of said cylindricalmembers;

said sealing means includes resilient elements disposed between saidcylindrical members and said pipe sections for providing air-tight sealsbetween said cylindrical members and said pipe sections;

said fastening means is disposed between said cylindrical members forpulling said cylindrical members toward each other so as to urge saidsealing means against the inner surface of said cylindrical members andthe outer surface of said pipe sections; and

wherein each of said cylindrical members includes a plurality of sectorportions joined together by means of flanges and screw bolts.

4. A device for selectively coupling and/or decoupling a plurality ofpipe sections, comprising, in combination:

a plurality of hollow members each having a tapered inner surfaceportion and adapted to receive at least one of said pipe sections;

a plurality of spherical bodies disposed between said tapered innersurface portion of a hollow member and a portion of the outer surface ofan associated pipe section for acting as wedge means to preventseparation of said hollow member from said associated pipe sections;

sealing means disposed between a hollow member and its associated pipesection for selectively providing an airtight seal therebetween whensaid sealing means is compressed;

fastening means disposed between said hollow members for moving saidhollow members toward each other and for urging said sealing meansagainst the inner surface of said hollow members and the outer surfaceof said pipe sections;

wherein said hollow members comprise cylindrical members which aredisposed in axial alignment in a spaced relation;

said spherical bodies are disposed in abutment against said taperedinner surface portions and said pipe sections for acting as wedge meansto prevent said pipe sections from coming off of said cylindricalmembers;

said sealing means includes resilient elements disposed between saidcylindrical members and said pipe sections for providing air-tight sealsbetween said cylindrical members and said pipe sections; said fasteningmeans 18 disposed between said cylindrical members for pulling saidcylindrical members toward each other so as to urge said sealing meansagainst the inner surface of said cylindrical members and the outersurface of said pipe sections;

said air-tight sealing means includes resilient retainer members eachhaving a plurality of said spherical bodies partially embedded therein;

said fastening means includes flanges provided at the inner ends of saidcylindrical members extending radially and outwardly therefrom andhaving threaded bores therein;

screw bolts threaded in said threaded bores of said flanges;

an annular pusher member having its opposite ends abutting against saidresilient retainer members; and

wherein each of said cylindrical members includes a plurality of sectorportions joined together by means of flanges and screw bolts.

1. A device for selectively coupling and/or decoupling a plurality ofpipe sections, comprising, in combination: a plurality of hollow memberseach having a tapered inner surface portion and adapted to receive atleast one of said pipe sections; a plurality of spherical bodiesdisposed between said tapered inner surface portion of a hollow memberand a portion of the outer surface of an associated pipe section foracting as wedge means to prevent separation of said hollow member fromsaid associated pipe sections; sealing means disposed between a hollowmember and its associated pipe section for selectively providing anair-tight seal therebetween when said sealing means is compressed;fastening means disposed between said hollow members for moving saidhollow members toward each other and for urging said sealing meansagainst the inner surface of said hollow members and the outer surfaceof said pipe sections; said hollow members comprise cylindrical memberswhich are disposed in axial alignment in a spaced relation; saidspherical bodies are disposed in abutment against said tapered innersurface portions and said pipe sections for acting as wedge means toprevent said pipe sections from coming off of said cylindrical members;said sealing means includes resilient elements disposed between saidcylindrical members and said pipe sections for providing air-tight sealsbetween said cylindrical members and said pipe sections; said fasteningmeans is disposed between said cylindrical members for pulling saidcylindrical members toward each other so as to urge said sealing meansagainst the inner surface of said cylindrical members and the outersurface of said pipe sections; and wherein said air-tight sealing meanscomprises resilient retainer rings each having a plurality of saidspherical bodies partially embedded therein, resilient stop rings inabutment against said retainer rings, and resilient packing members inabutment against said stop rings on the side opposite to said retainerrings.
 2. A device characterized in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid cylindrical members have annular recesses in their inner surfaceadjacent to said tapered inner surface portions for partially receivingsaid resilient stop rings and packing members therein; oppositelydirected threaded portions are provided in the outer periphery of saidcylindrical members; and said fastening means comprises a pusher memberhaving its opposite ends abutting against said resilient packingmembers, and an annular fastening member having its inner surfaceprovided with oppositely directed threaded portions for engagement withsaid oppositely directed threaded portions in the outer periphery ofsaid cylindrical members.
 3. A device for selectively coupling and/ordecoupling a plurality of pipe sections, comprising, in combination: aplurality of hollow members each having a tapered inner surface portionand adapted tO receive at least one of said pipe sections; a pluralityof spherical bodies disposed between said tapered inner surface portionof a hollow member and a portion of the outer surface of an associatedpipe section for acting as wedge means to prevent separation of saidhollow member from said associated pipe sections; sealing means disposedbetween a hollow member and its associated pipe section for selectivelyproviding an air-tight seal therebetween when said sealing means iscompressed; fastening means disposed between said hollow members formoving said hollow members toward each other and for urging said sealingmeans against the inner surface of said hollow members and the outersurface of said pipe sections; said hollow members comprise cylindricalmembers which are disposed in axial alignment in a spaced relation; saidspherical bodies are disposed in abutment against said tapered innersurface portions and said pipe sections for acting as wedge means toprevent said pipe sections from coming off of said cylindrical members;said sealing means includes resilient elements disposed between saidcylindrical members and said pipe sections for providing air-tight sealsbetween said cylindrical members and said pipe sections; said fasteningmeans is disposed between said cylindrical members for pulling saidcylindrical members toward each other so as to urge said sealing meansagainst the inner surface of said cylindrical members and the outersurface of said pipe sections; and wherein each of said cylindricalmembers includes a plurality of sector portions joined together by meansof flanges and screw bolts.
 4. A device for selectively coupling and/ordecoupling a plurality of pipe sections, comprising, in combination: aplurality of hollow members each having a tapered inner surface portionand adapted to receive at least one of said pipe sections; a pluralityof spherical bodies disposed between said tapered inner surface portionof a hollow member and a portion of the outer surface of an associatedpipe section for acting as wedge means to prevent separation of saidhollow member from said associated pipe sections; sealing means disposedbetween a hollow member and its associated pipe section for selectivelyproviding an air-tight seal therebetween when said sealing means iscompressed; fastening means disposed between said hollow members formoving said hollow members toward each other and for urging said sealingmeans against the inner surface of said hollow members and the outersurface of said pipe sections; wherein said hollow members comprisecylindrical members which are disposed in axial alignment in a spacedrelation; said spherical bodies are disposed in abutment against saidtapered inner surface portions and said pipe sections for acting aswedge means to prevent said pipe sections from coming off of saidcylindrical members; said sealing means includes resilient elementsdisposed between said cylindrical members and said pipe sections forproviding air-tight seals between said cylindrical members and said pipesections; said fastening means is disposed between said cylindricalmembers for pulling said cylindrical members toward each other so as tourge said sealing means against the inner surface of said cylindricalmembers and the outer surface of said pipe sections; said air-tightsealing means includes resilient retainer members each having aplurality of said spherical bodies partially embedded therein; saidfastening means includes flanges provided at the inner ends of saidcylindrical members extending radially and outwardly therefrom andhaving threaded bores therein; screw bolts threaded in said threadedbores of said flanges; an annular pusher member having its opposite endsabutting against said resilient retainer members; and wherein each ofsaid cylindrical members includes a plurality of sector portions joinedtogether by means of flanges and sCrew bolts.